Vancouver Police have announced that Calgary-born Hollywood actor Cory Monteith was found dead at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel.
The 31-year-old actor is best known for his starring role on the TV show Glee. He was found in the hotel on the 21st floor at noon on July 13 after his room was searched when he failed to check out of the hotel.
“I want to pass on our condolences to the family, friends, castmates and millions of fans of Mr. Monteith,” said Vancouver Police Acting Chief Doug LePard at a press conference held Saturday evening. “As was the case in countless homes, I watched Glee regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death.”
VIDEO: VANCOUVER POLICE ANNOUNCE MONTEITH’S DEATH
Monteith had been dead for several hours when his body was found. No foul play is suspected, and cause of death was not released at the press conference.
Sources have told Global BC that there are indications it may have been an overdose. Monteith had been in rehab a number of times in his life, most recently in April. He had regularly discussed his battles with addiction, saying in past interviews he took “anything and everything” and was “lucky to be alive.”
However, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said further tests would be needed to determine how Monteith died.
“The exact nature of those examinations will depend on investigative findings within the next day or two as information is gathered from medical records and discussions with family take place,” she said.
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Monteith was born in Calgary in 1981, but moved to Victoria at the age of two after his parents divorced. Before becoming an actor, he worked in Nanaimo, B.C as a Wal-Mart people greeter, taxicab driver, school bus driver, and roofer. Montieth played minor roles in Final Destination 3, Whisper and Deck the Halls, had a recurring role in Kyle XY and also appeared in Smallville, Supernatural, Flash Gordon and Stargate SG-1.
But it was on Glee where Monteith became a star, playing the character of Finn Hudson, a star quarterback of the high school football team who risked bullying from friends to join the school’s glee club. In the show he became romantically linked with the group’s best singer Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele – and Monteith and Michele began dating in real life in 2012.
MORE: Exclusive Video of Monteith giving advice to a fan on Vancouver flight
An hour after Monteith’s death was announced, a statement was released by the Glee executive producers and 20th Century Fox TV, stating: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
VIDEO: GLOBAL’S JILL BENNETT DISCUSSES MONTEITH’S DEATH ON NEWS HOUR FINAL
With files from Canadian Press
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